Robert D. Wisbaum, owned Niagara Hardware & Plumbing Supply

NIAGARA FALLS – Robert D. Wisbaum, former owner of Niagara Hardware & Plumbing Supply Co. in Niagara Falls, died Friday. He was 87.

A lifelong resident of Niagara Falls, he was a 1943 graduate of Niagara Falls High School. He attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor until he entered the Army Air Forces in 1944.

After his discharge in 1946, Mr. Wisbaum returned to Michigan to resume his college education and then transferred to the University of Buffalo, where he graduated in 1948.

He joined his father in business as vice president of Niagara Hardware & Plumbing Supply Co.

After the death of his father, Samuel, in 1963, Mr. Wisbaum and his brother, Jerauld, continued to run the company until the business was closed in 2000.

Mr. Wisbaum served as co-chairman of the United Jewish Appeal, president of the Jewish Federation of Niagara Falls, vice president of Temple Beth Israel and its architecture committee, and was a member of B’nai B’rith.

In addition, he served on the boards the YMCA and the Council of Social Agencies.

He was a member of Niagara Falls Country Club and a former Masonic Lodge member.

Mr. Wisbaum is survived by his wife of 64 years, the former Lucille M. Britman, and four sons, Norman, Bruce, Keith and Steven.